The cricketer's shoulder: Not a classic throwing shoulder.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the musculoskeletal adaptations inherent to the cricketers' shoulder and determine potential predictors of shoulder injury in elite South African cricketers.

DESIGN

Prospective longitudinal cohort study; SETTING: Non-clinical, at national cricket indoor training venues.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and six elite cricketers, representing 82% of the South African national and franchise teams, consent. A total of 105 cricketers (27 ± 4 years) were eligible for participation in this study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A pre-season shoulder screening battery including a shoulder function questionnaire, two ultrasonographic shoulder measurements and 14 musculoskeletal tests including pain provocation, range of motion, strength and flexibility was assessed. Non-contact dominant shoulder injuries were documented throughout the 2016/2017 season.

RESULTS

The musculoskeletal profile of a cricketer's shoulder is described. 17% (95%CI: 9-24%) of cricketers sustained an injury during the 2016/2017 season. Two of the 17 screening tests predicted seasonal dominant shoulder injury (p < 0.05): a dominant supraspinatus tendon thickness ≥5.85 mm (sensitivity: 72%, specificity: 63%) and non-dominant pectoralis minor length ≤12.85 cm (sensitivity: 83%, specificity: 55%).

CONCLUSION

The musculoskeletal adaptations inherent to cricketing shoulders are distinctly different to the classic "thrower's shoulder" described in baseball. A thickened dominant supraspinatus tendon and a shortened non-dominant pectoralis minor muscle are risk factors for developing shoulder injury in this group. This identifies the need to investigate preventative strategies (strengthening/flexibility) and throwing workload management in cricketers with shoulder injury.